Bumper question...
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Benton, La.
Bumper question...
I'm looking to replace my front bumper with something I can mount a winch to.
The ride in question is 1986 Bronco. 302 engine. 6" suspension lift with 35" tires. I may possibly be going down to 31" tires in the near future if that will have anything to do with it.
I just cannot seem to find anywhere online that sells a bumper that will fit my bronco, other than OE style setups.
I'm sure I could have one made for it at a welding shop somewhere around here, but I'd rather not if I can help it.
Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.
The ride in question is 1986 Bronco. 302 engine. 6" suspension lift with 35" tires. I may possibly be going down to 31" tires in the near future if that will have anything to do with it.
I just cannot seem to find anywhere online that sells a bumper that will fit my bronco, other than OE style setups.
I'm sure I could have one made for it at a welding shop somewhere around here, but I'd rather not if I can help it.
Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Benton, La.
True enough about getting exactly what I want. I wouldnt know about the cheaper part though. I mean, I honestly just don't know, I'm not doubting you.
Up until recently, I had a good situation if I needed something welded. I went and got my friend and we went to general scrap (a yard here in town) and picked whatever steel we needed and my buddy would weld up whatever I wanted.
Buddy disappeared again so I have no welder. (buddy frequently will just leave and be gone for months at a time and not tell anyone anything).
I may have to check with one of our local welding outfits this week just to see what they can tell me...
Thanks.
Up until recently, I had a good situation if I needed something welded. I went and got my friend and we went to general scrap (a yard here in town) and picked whatever steel we needed and my buddy would weld up whatever I wanted.
Buddy disappeared again so I have no welder. (buddy frequently will just leave and be gone for months at a time and not tell anyone anything).
I may have to check with one of our local welding outfits this week just to see what they can tell me...
Thanks.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 460
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From: Edmonton, Alberta
When you are doing your Sunday cruisin' watch for a shingle outside some guys driveway that says Welding Shop. The little guys who weld out of their garages for cash can save you some money.
I'm going to custom fab some tubular bumpers for my 89 and 79 in the near future with 2" steel pipe. The problem I've run into though is getting a good finish on it that doesn't rust through in a year. Tremclad in a can just doesn't seem to hold up and everybody who powder coats wants an arm and a leg for it. Taking my bumpers off every year or so and cleaning them up with the wire brush and repainting sucks!
Sorry about wandering off topic with your thread....
I'm going to custom fab some tubular bumpers for my 89 and 79 in the near future with 2" steel pipe. The problem I've run into though is getting a good finish on it that doesn't rust through in a year. Tremclad in a can just doesn't seem to hold up and everybody who powder coats wants an arm and a leg for it. Taking my bumpers off every year or so and cleaning them up with the wire brush and repainting sucks!
Sorry about wandering off topic with your thread....
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Benton, La.
dwoodler: On your paint situatuon. I used to work for an automatic gate company. We used some paint that was just about bulletproof to the elements. It sucked because it had to be brushed on though. I'll have to email my old boss and ask him what brand/type it was though.
As for the backyard welder, I thought about that today while I was out GeoCaching with my buddy. I actually drive right past one of those every time I leave my house to go into town. I'll have to stop in and see what he might can do.
Aciancio: I was just going to mount a reciever under my bumper... I got to like having a front hitch when I was at the same gate company I mentioned above. We used to have to park 2wheel trailers in our lot with them on the front because there wasnt enough room to do it in reverse easily. I'll have to explore that option instead of a bumper.. I'm really only wanting a bumper so I can have a place to put a winch that's solid. There's nothing wrong with stock bumper that's on there.
As for the backyard welder, I thought about that today while I was out GeoCaching with my buddy. I actually drive right past one of those every time I leave my house to go into town. I'll have to stop in and see what he might can do.
Aciancio: I was just going to mount a reciever under my bumper... I got to like having a front hitch when I was at the same gate company I mentioned above. We used to have to park 2wheel trailers in our lot with them on the front because there wasnt enough room to do it in reverse easily. I'll have to explore that option instead of a bumper.. I'm really only wanting a bumper so I can have a place to put a winch that's solid. There's nothing wrong with stock bumper that's on there.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Broken Arrow
I agree the stock bumper works great. I just like the idea of the front hitch because you dont have to find a bumper that will fit the truck, look good, and hold a winch. also you can store the winch in the front hitch and it is stronger then using the bumper because of how/where a bumper mounts. same idea as towing from a hitch vrs off the bumper. the hitch is stronger.
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From: Edmonton, Alberta
Sounds good redneck'n - let me know what it was that you used at the gate company when you find out.
We had a front mounted reciever hitch on the GMC at the shop in Wpg, MB but it was lower than anything else in the front - watch out for that.
We had a front mounted reciever hitch on the GMC at the shop in Wpg, MB but it was lower than anything else in the front - watch out for that.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Benton, La.
Originally Posted by dwoodler
Sounds good redneck'n - let me know what it was that you used at the gate company when you find out.
We had a front mounted reciever hitch on the GMC at the shop in Wpg, MB but it was lower than anything else in the front - watch out for that.
We had a front mounted reciever hitch on the GMC at the shop in Wpg, MB but it was lower than anything else in the front - watch out for that.
I wish I could recall it. I had several empty cans out at our farm and went by there today to look, but the labels had all rotted off and couldnt be read anymore.
I've used high temp fireplace paint before (a spray) and done several coats had things come out pretty good and be pretty tough to scratch up. And it looked better because it was sprayed. You can also check with a paint (auto) shop and they can get regular sized spray cans of any color. They may not admit to it, but I know they do. We used to get the PPG guy to bring them out for us to touch up the the tractors we built at TSE International. But I wouldnt know what to tell you to ask for as an actual name though.